1
as in fires
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
BB guns shoot small round metal pellets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in pops
to strike with a missile from a gun
hunters can shoot deer only during the legally specified open season
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rushes
to proceed or move quickly
some show-off shot past all the other skiers on the slope
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in photographs
to take a photograph of
shooting the lakeside scene while the light lasted
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in casts
to throw or give off
suddenly the old, broken-down toaster began shooting out sparks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shouts
to voice one's opinions freely with force
you've been wanting to say something since this meeting started, so shoot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in sprinkles
to mark with small spots especially unevenly
hazel eyes that were brown shot with green
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in sends
to cause to go or be taken from one place to another
shot a congratulatory e-mail to his friend as soon as he heard the good news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in limbs
a branch of a main stem especially of a plant
collected the most tender shoots for the vegetable dish he was making
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pains
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
there'd be a shoot of pain from that molar whenever I bit down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shoots
Law Murray, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Her outside-looking in remembrances (Romvari shoots scenes sometimes from the perspective of looking through a window) elliptically convey much – parental anguish about what would be the best call to action for the entire family, not the upheaval felt within the family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
This is a somber, aching sequence for Bernthal, which Storer shoots from down at his and Ireland’s level, in a long take that is now customary for this show.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2026
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic in Game 7 in Detroit on Sunday.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Ryo Ishikawa shoots a 12-under 58 — the lowest score on a major tour — to win The Crowns in Togo, Japan.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Ryan Giuffre with the machete moments before Giuffre shoots him twice.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Near the end of the penultimate episode, Cashman confronts Blake about Urich, shoves him to the ground in a scuffle and shoots him dead.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Later on in the film, Jason shoots Allen in a gunfight.
—Ryan Brennan
april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Once roots form the top half of the potato above ground begins to send up green shoots with leaves.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 May 2026
There's also an optional co-op mode, which allows two players to split the controls of the Arwing starfighter and other vehicles; one person pilots them while the other shoots at enemies.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 May 2026
In recent years, both spaces have hosted events, and design and editorial shoots, allowing the Corò family to engage with contemporary visual culture in a historic context and within the confines of their estate.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Some already have little green shoots reaching up toward the sky.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Air execs are hoping that the spot demonstrates how preproduction can be expedited and made cheaper even for traditional shoots (the spot went from development to completion in a matter of weeks).
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
The blooms are rare but rewarding, with tall shoots of tubular flowers that release a sweet, grassy aroma.
—Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 5 May 2026
Abutilon shoots are long and may touch the ground.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
But like Gilgeous-Alexander, Wagler gets to the free throw line at a high rate, has a stellar assist-turnover ratio, and shoots the ball well with even more 3-point volume than Gilgeous-Alexander had.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Her outside-looking in remembrances (Romvari shoots scenes sometimes from the perspective of looking through a window) elliptically convey much – parental anguish about what would be the best call to action for the entire family, not the upheaval felt within the family.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
This is a somber, aching sequence for Bernthal, which Storer shoots from down at his and Ireland’s level, in a long take that is now customary for this show.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2026
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic in Game 7 in Detroit on Sunday.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Ryo Ishikawa shoots a 12-under 58 — the lowest score on a major tour — to win The Crowns in Togo, Japan.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Ryan Giuffre with the machete moments before Giuffre shoots him twice.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Near the end of the penultimate episode, Cashman confronts Blake about Urich, shoves him to the ground in a scuffle and shoots him dead.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Later on in the film, Jason shoots Allen in a gunfight.
—Ryan Brennan
april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Most banana plants survive even severe freezes and can make new grow from shoots at or below the ground line.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Once roots form the top half of the potato above ground begins to send up green shoots with leaves.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 May 2026
There's also an optional co-op mode, which allows two players to split the controls of the Arwing starfighter and other vehicles; one person pilots them while the other shoots at enemies.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 May 2026
In recent years, both spaces have hosted events, and design and editorial shoots, allowing the Corò family to engage with contemporary visual culture in a historic context and within the confines of their estate.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Some already have little green shoots reaching up toward the sky.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Air execs are hoping that the spot demonstrates how preproduction can be expedited and made cheaper even for traditional shoots (the spot went from development to completion in a matter of weeks).
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
The blooms are rare but rewarding, with tall shoots of tubular flowers that release a sweet, grassy aroma.
—Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 5 May 2026
Abutilon shoots are long and may touch the ground.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoots
Verb
-
Only the United States, a few NATO allies, Russia and Iran are believed to have this kind of high-speed torpedo, which fires air ahead of the weapon to reduce the drag of the water.—
Pau Mosquera,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Hollis fires and Schultz fires his weapon a dozen times.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
After Trevor strolls back to his muscle car and drives away, Easton pops up, curious as to who that was.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
11 May 2026
-
But don’t rule them out of buying more if there’s one that pops.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes for a 48 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 4, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.—
Riley Moser,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
Everyone in the group rushes together.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Text and photographs copyright ©2026 by Stephen Orr.—
Southern Living Editors,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
-
The result is a frame that photographs beautifully, wears all day without effort, and comes with a genuinely good story.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The finding casts doubt on previous studies that used these tools without accounting for intelligence and suggests depression screening in doctor’s offices may be flawed.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
-
His new film casts Niels Schneider as a man nearing 40, who keeps his life and his pursuits as a photographer to himself.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
There have been sometimes somebody shouts in protests.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This grand procession of Edmonia’s work is an act of reclamation—a gathering in her name that shouts through stone and into the eons.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pastry chef Sahar Shomali, Kouzeh’s owner, sprinkles her version with black and white sesame seeds, cumin and fresh dill.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Use a watering can or hose that sprinkles the water to evenly distribute it among the seeds.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shoots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoots. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
